The Ballad of Wallis Island

The eccentric Charles (Tim Key) dreams of seeing the folk duo Mortimer-McGwyer perform. Herb and Nell (played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) are Charles' favourite musicians, but they have each gone their separate ways. Charles lives on the small island of Wallis, which has a handful of houses, one shop, a telephone box – and no jetty. He decides to invite Herb and Nell to come and give a very special performance in this beautiful but very remote place.

 With the promise of a handsome financial reward and an enthusiastic audience, they accept the invitation, which seems to fulfil Charles' wish, but when old tensions between Nell and Herb resurface, and Nell turns out to have brought her husband along, Charles has to work hard to save his dream concert.  

Both comical and melancholic, The Ballad of Wallis Island is ultimately a feel-good film about love and friendship, the magic of making music (together) and dealing with unexpected twists and turns in life. The film is directed by James Griffiths and written by Tim Key and Tom Basden themselves. They based the film on their own short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (2007). The film will not be released in Dutch cinemas and, apart from screenings at the Northern Film Festival, can only be seen at the Leiden International Film Festival. Please note: the film is in English and has no subtitles.